trans., Sacred Writings. Edited by Jaroslav Pelikan, vol.
5, The Rig Veda (New York: Book-of-the-Month Club,
1992); Wendy O’Flaherty, The Rig Veda: An Anthology
(Baltimore: Penguin, 1982); J. Frits Staal, AGNI: The
Altar of Fire, 2 vols. (Berkeley, Calif.: Asian Humanities
Press, 1983).
Rishabha
Rishabha was the first Jain TIRTHANKARA (saint) of
our half-era (see JAINISM). He was followed by 23
others, the last of whom was MAHAVIRA.
Rishabha’s life was marked by four auspicious
events, which all took place when the Moon was
in conjunction with the same star: he entered the
womb after a previous life in a heavenly realm, he
was born into the world, he left the life of a house-
holder, and he attained infinite knowledge.
In the land of Kosala, he entered the womb of
Marudevi, wife of Nabhi, a member of a warrior
class family on the fourth day in the dark half of
the month of Ashadha (June–July). His mother, as
was customary for those who would bear a future
ARHAT, an enlightened being, had had 14 auspi-
cious dreams, such as seeing a white elephant and
an ox. In the eighth day of the dark half of the
month of Chaitra (March–April), he was born.
Gods, goddesses, animal divinities, and others
descended to greet this great birth and showered
down jewels, gold, and silver.
Rishabha lived as a prince and as a monarch
for thousands of years. Even as a monarch he
was known for his many virtues and for his great
teachings of the various arts. In his kingly life
his children included the famed BHARATA and
BAHUBALI.
In the month of Chaitra (March–April), he
gave away all his wealth, mounted his kingly
palanquin for the last time, and went to his place
of renunciation to become a monk. He sat under
a sacred tree; took off all his clothes, finery, and
ornaments; and pulled out all his hair in five tufts,
as was the custom for one who was to become a
Jain monk.
For 1,000 years Rishabha ignored his body
in every way, enduring every hardship without
complaint or acknowledgment. He would walk
very slowly, talk very quietly, and move about very
lightly so as not to harm any being visible or invis-
ible. He saw offal and gold as the same and would
accept only that which had not been prepared
specially for him.
Rishabha spent 1,000 years contemplating
himself and doing penance in right conduct on
the road to liberation. Finally, taking water only
once every four days, he sat under a tree and
reached the ultimate insight of full knowledge.
Thereupon he became a spiritual victor, a jina, and
became omniscient. At this time the gods and all
other beings went to listen to him preach the Jain
doctrine in an awesome and beautiful pavilion
they built.
It is said that the Tirthankara Rishabha had 84
disciples who were very close to him and another
84 who assisted him. He had a total of 84,000
monks and 300,000 nuns. He remained seating
in a lotus position, omniscient, for 100,000 years.
Finally he met his death and his soul ascended
to the top of the universe to exist there in eternal
effulgence and bliss.Further reading: Champat Rai Jain, Rishabha Deva, the
Founder of Jainism (Allahabhad: Indian Press, 1929); P.
S. Jaini, The Jaina Path of Purification (Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass, 1990); K. C. Lalwani, Kalpa Sutra (Delhi:
Motilal Banarsidass, 1979).rishi
A rishi in its most ancient Vedic sense was a seer
and an inspired poet. The original rishis were
those who saw or called forth the eternal verses
of the VEDAS. The Vedas were not seen as writ-
ten by anyone; the rishis were conduits for them.
Most of the Vedic MANTRAS include the name
of the rishi who recorded them. Seven of these
ancient rishis are seen as the starting points for
the orthodox BRAHMIN lineages: Kashyapa, Atri,K 366 Rishabha